CRIMINAL - review added 28th July 2011
Album Review: Akelarre (2011)
For fans of: Thrash Metal
Thrash act Criminal, formed in Chile but now based in the UK, last featured on these pages with their 2009 album "White Hell" (review here). It was a solid, meaty old effort with a great sound. Big question here is will they change what ain't broke, or go for something completely different?
"Akelarre" (apparently meaning 'Witch's Sabbath') is the band's seventh studio album and marks the departure of lead guitarist and founding member Rodrigo Contreras, and the arrival Spanish guitarist Olmo Cascallar. To be honest you wouldn't necessarily know. Criminal still make a mighty sound, maybe a little cleaner and crisper this time round, but you know it could make 2 tonnes of Marshall stack vibrate across a stage floor with consummate ease.
The quality of songs is similar to last time too. That means a few massive standout moments, and plenty of songs that aren't necessarily memorable, but the sheer scale and sound of them makes them an absolute pleasure for the few moments they assault your senses. Best moments include the heavy and boisterously speedy 'State Of Siege', the monstrous 'Feel The Void', the groove-filled 'The Power Of The Dog', and gnarly final track 'La Santa Muerte'.
In Summation:
Another utterly solid Criminal album. The second half definitely outdoes the first, but the album as a whole still works bloody well.
Entertainment/Enjoyment:
Musicianship:
Vocals:
Song Writing:
Production:
Overall (Not An Average Of The Above):
Track List:
01. Order From Chaos
02. Resistance Is Futile
03. The Ghost We Summoned
04. Akelarre
05. State Of Siege
06. Tyrannicide
07. Feel The Void
08. The Power Of The Dog
09. Vows Of Silence
10. La Santa Muerte
Band/Performers:
Other Info:
Label: Massacre Records
Artist's website(s): Criminal | MySpace | Facebook
